Microsoft, Vodafone launch SMS-based search service in India

Mobile service provider Vodafone has partnered with Microsoft India to provide its users SMS-based search service at a rate of 30 paisa per query. The SMS search service, powered by Microsoft’s Live Search, would enable Vodafone mobile users to search online and mobile content including ringtones, images, articles and local directory information like restaurants.

Mobile service provider Vodafone has partnered with Microsoft India to provide its users SMS-based search service at a rate of 30 paisa per query. The SMS search service, powered by Microsoft’s Live Search, would enable Vodafone mobile users to search online and mobile content including ringtones, images, articles and local directory information like restaurants.

According to Vodafone, the SMS Search service would be initially available in eight cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad — with 21 more cities expected to join the list soon.

â€œWe have incorporated some unique features in SMS search service like local results based on the userâ€™s city location, keeping track of the userâ€™s search session for 24 hours and delivering results formatted to match the userâ€™s phone capabilities,â€ Gurpreet S Pall, Director, Live Search and Emerging Markets, Microsoft India Development Centre (MSIDC), has said. [Source: Economic Times]